Development of Endurance Qualities of Young Athletes

Abstract

Endurance exercise training enhances exercise tolerance and ultimately improves the performance of young athletes.

A large number of young athletes train for competitive sport before puberty, yet the understanding of their capabilities to benefit from endurance training is limited.^1,2 Many studies of endurance trainability of children have methodological flaws. Most investigations that have involved adequate intensity, type, and duration of training have shown in children the qualitative changes expected from adults, although children may need a greater exercise intensity than adults to trigger cardiovascular adaptations to training.³